~June~
11) Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
12) That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard
13) Insomnia by J.R. Johansson
14) Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
15) A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
16) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
17) The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
18) Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
19) The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford

Site Announcements, Updates, Etc

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Hey everyone! I've got something a bit different for you all. Today I have a new kind of interview from Nicholas Maes, author of Crescent Star. Enjoy.

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Since no one has come to interview Nick Maes (author of Crescent Star) just yet, he has decided to get an imaginary interviewer to do so. Everything that follows is a complete fabrication.

Imaginary Interviewer (II): Welcome everyone. I am speaking with Nicholas Maes, author of the YA novels Locksmith, Laughing Wolf and, most recently, Crescent Star. It is this last novel that I’d like to talk about today so let’s get to it. Hello Nicholas...

Nick Maes (NM): Call me Nick.

II: Great. So Nick, tell us something about yourself.

NM: Sure. I’m male (obviously), 50 years old (yikes!) and unabashedly Jewish. The only reason why I’ve mentioned this last fact is that it ties in with my latest book, Crescent Star.

II: How so?

NM: Well, in a fit of insanity I decided to write about the Israeli/Palestinian divide. You see, Crescent Star is set in Israel in the summer of 2006 and is told from the perspectives of Avi (a 15 year-old Jew) and Moussa (a 15 year-old Palestinian).

II: Why the summer of 2006?

NM: Because that’s when war broke out between Lebanon and Israel. I happened to be present and the experience was memorable.

II: You mentioned a fit of insanity. Why?

NM: Why would anyone in his right mind write about Israel? People have strong feelings about this subject, negative and positive, and tend to yell at anyone who opposes their point of view. There’s also the question of my readership. Do you know what people have told me? They’ve said teens aren’t interested in political stuff, so a book like Crescent Star is a waste of time. According to them, teens want to read about Harry Potter and high school, not Jews and Arabs opposing each other. My topic is a bummer, in other words.

II: How do you respond?

NM: The way I figure it, teens are part of this world. Global events affect them as much as they affect adults. So shouldn’t they have an idea of what’s going on? This applies to their awareness of Israel, hence my writing of Crescent Star.

II: You’re not the first to write a teen novel on this subject, you know.

NM: That’s true.

II: So what’s different about Crescent Star? What will teens get from your book and not from others?

NM: Crescent Star, I think, presents its readers with a balanced picture of events. Unlike some books that I’ve come across (I won’t mention titles), Crescent Star doesn’t expect its readers to pass judgement, to favour Jews over Arabs or vice versa; after all, there’s nothing easier than passing judgement on others. No, my purpose is to explain the complexity of Israel and to get readers to see both sides of the equation, as hard as this can be at times.

II: Can you give us an example?

NM: Sure. Take the security perimeter. On the one hand it seems out and out unfair – it prevents Palestinians from moving about freely and creates huge delays and a lot of hardship. On the other, it was built to prevent suicide bombers from entering the country. Before the wall existed, hundreds of Israelis were killed in bomb attacks, and hundreds more were injured. Since the construction of the wall, these attacks have disappeared. Should the wall exist? Should it be torn down? The question is more difficult than outsiders can imagine. And the wall is one example of many such issues.

II: Wow. I guess there really are no easy answers. But tell me. You’re Jewish, right?

NM: Yes. I know where this is leading.

II: Can you claim to be objective when you clearly have a stake in this issue? As a Jew won’t you be steering readers towards a pro-Israeli point of view?

NM: Some of Israel’s harshest critics are Jewish, although I suspect such people would hate Crescent Star. In fact, I admire Israel greatly – it’s only fair my readers should know this about me. Still, like many Jews, I’m aware there are problems afoot in Israel. I feel no need to whitewash the Israeli position, any more than I feel the need to whitewash the Arab one (as some authors have done). Both sides have a claim to justice, and both groups have some explaining to do. In final analysis, I can only say that I sweated and strained to be fair to both sides, and I mean that literally.

II: So you never pass judgement in Crescent Star?

NM: With regard to one subject only – the suicide bomber. Suicide bombings are out and out disgusting. This perspective emerges subtly in the novel. But other than that....

II: I see. But look, this is a gloomy topic. Is Crescent Star a handbook of Israeli politics, or is it a story with strong characters, a ripping narrative and powerful emotions?

NM: A novel isn’t a newspaper article. Of course there’s a story, a good one full of twists and turns. As for the characters, well, Avi and Moussa can speak for themselves.

AVI: Shalom, Mr. Interviewer.

MOUSSA: Salaam

II: Oh my goodness. I wasn’t expecting you two to walk off the page. You look and sound... real.

AVI: And you do, too, even though you’re imaginary.

MOUSSA: We’re as real as any fictional character.

II: In that case, answer me this. Are you happy with the way Nick Maes has described you? Has he done justice to your lives?

AVI: I guess. I wish he hadn’t talked about my fear so openly. And why did he mention my girlfriend? That’s my personal business.

NM: As my character, you have no personal business.

MOUSSA: We disagree. We’re entitled to our privacy. Like the way you showed me killing that bird. That was something I wanted to keep to myself.

II: It sounds to me that Maes has described you almost too realistically. We have five seconds left. Do you have anything to add?

AVI: We would like to hear what readers think of us.

MOUSSA: I was going to say the same thing.

II: Well, that wraps things up everyone. Thank you Avi, Moussa and you Nick Maes. And please excuse me as I wander back into my imaginary world.

~~~~~~~~~~

I'll admit, when the publisher first told me Maes had crafted an imaginary interview I was kinda like, "Uh huh. Oooookay." But I actually really liked this idea and it worked out great, at least I think it did. So thank you Nicholas Maes for this fun and refreshing take on an interview. Hope you all enjoyed it. Would love to hear what you thought. :D

All You Get is Me by Yvonne PrinzPublisher: HarperTeen Pub. Date: December 21st, 2010 Pages: 288 Age Level: 14+ Source: For review from publisher.

Synopsis via Goodreads A summer of love, loss, and justice. Things were complicated enough for Roar, even before her father decided to yank her out of the city and go organic. Suddenly, she’s a farm girl, albeit a reluctant one, selling figs at the farmers’ market and developing her photographs in a ramshackle shed. Caught between a troublemaking sidekick named Storm, a brooding, easy-on-the-eyes L.A. boy, and a father on a human rights crusade that challenges the fabric of the farm community, Roar is going to have to tackle it all—even with dirt under her fingernails and her hair pulled back with a rubber band meant for asparagus.

Noteworthy Passages

Roar; pg. 34The first apricot I pluck off the tree smells of roses and sits heavy in my hand, warmed by the sun. I take a bite and savor the creamy, slightly tart taste that fills my mouth.

Roar; pg. 147 The appealing thing about putting on makeup and fancy clothes is that you get to be someone else for a while. I learned that from my mom. She was always transforming herself into someone else. Her ultimate transformation was becoming someone who wasn't a mother anymore. At least not mine.

Roar and Storm; pg. 275So I'm off to get my driver's license in a potentially stolen car. "Do you have the insurance card? They need to see that." "Check the glove box." I flip it open. Inside there's a pocket-sized black leather-bound Bible, a rosary, and a hymnal. "Wow, it's like the road to salvation in here." Storm's silver flask is sitting on top of the pile. "With a pit stop in hell." I wave the empty flask in front of her.

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Variety is the spice of life, right? So the first passage was picked for imagery, the second for emotion, the third for humor. For more on my thoughts of All You Get is Me, check out my Review.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

All You Get is Me by Yvonne PrinzPublisher: HarperTeen Pub. Date: December 21st, 2010Pages: 288 Age Level: 14+ Source: For review from publisher.

Synopsis via GoodreadsA summer of love, loss, and justice. Things were complicated enough for Roar, even before her father decided to yank her out of the city and go organic. Suddenly, she’s a farm girl, albeit a reluctant one, selling figs at the farmers’ market and developing her photographs in a ramshackle shed. Caught between a troublemaking sidekick named Storm, a brooding, easy-on-the-eyes L.A. boy, and a father on a human rights crusade that challenges the fabric of the farm community, Roar is going to have to tackle it all—even with dirt under her fingernails and her hair pulled back with a rubber band meant for asparagus.

ReviewAll You Get is Me is one of those books that kind of snuck up on me. It had a subtle depth about it that I wasn't expecting but was glad to find.

Roar was a realistic and dynamic heroine. True she sometimes complained about her new 'life on the farm' but it never crossed into the whiny zone, which I appreciated. Also, I liked watching her grow fonder of her new-'ish' lifestyle. The process wasn't rushed, but gradual. Roar was also very witty and genuine and I loved that she had such a strong interest in photography. As an amateur photographer myself, this trait really appealed to me. There were also some very well fleshed out supporting characters. There was Roar's snarky best friend, Storm, a rebel who's main cause is to scare the ever living crap out her parents. And to be honest, I can't say I blame her; I'd be tempted too. *giggles mischievously* Then there was Forest and, no joke, the first time his name was said it was all I could not to shout at the book, "Run, Forest! Run!" even if it is spelled differently. That aside, he was sweet and charming, maybe even a little bit awkward at times, but I liked that. I thought the romance between him and Roar was both believable and pretty well paced. Some other great supporting characters were Roar's dad and Steve.

All You Get is Me is a well-balanced, appealing combination of lighter and heavier topics. On one hand, we have a summer of good times, family, friends, and first love. On the other hand, the story touches on some heavier topics such as illegal immigration, civil rights, and parental abandonment. Prinz weaved all of these elements together so that they not only flowed smoothly, but also created a developed and layered plot. Surprise of all surprises, I loved how thoroughly incorporated Roar's photography was in the plot. My only complaint would be that it took me a little while to get into this one. But once I did, it was well worth it.

Prinz has what I would call a confident writing style. Sometimes I feel like authors pace their books quickly because they feel that is what's needed to keep a reader's attention. However, All You Get is Me took a more leisurely approach, though not slow, mind you. It was almost as though the author was saying, "I've got a story to tell and I see no sense in rushing it." I admired that. Also, the writing in and of itself was beautiful and honest, though I admit, it wasn't something I noticed right away. Instead, it was something I realized as I sank further into the book.

The ending Prinz gave All You Get is Me was a hopeful one and, while it was nothing profound, I did like it and felt it brought everything to a close quite nicely.

In the end, All You Get is Me is a touching and heart felt coming-of-age story that I would recommend, especially to teen girls. I'm glad I got the chance to read this and I look forward to reading more of Prinz's work.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Hello everyone! Today I have a wonderful guest post from author, Valerie Sherrard, who's newest YA novel, Accomplice, just released this year.

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Another Kind of Bullyby Valerie Sherrard

They’ve always been around, but, thanks to a recent surge of attention, we’ve become much more aware them. Who are they? They’re the name-calling, lunch-swiping, shoulder-shoving tyrants we know as bullies.

The media is giving a whole lot of attention to the subject at the moment, and that’s a good thing. The focus, quite naturally, has been on the stereotypical bully – that cowardly plague of the halls and schoolyards and streets. I say: good for the media that draws our attention to the problem; good for the schools who take steps toward prevention, and, good for the peers who step up and speak up against their cruelty.

But there is another breed of bully, one who is perhaps just as damaging. This one is harder to recognize, and may even be someone in your family or your circle of friends. Who are they?

They are the people who pester or pout until you give them their way. They are the 'friends' who say they’ll no longer be your friend or they won’t like you anymore if they don’t get what they want. Their methods are different and less obvious than the schoolyard tormentor, but they are still sending the message that their wants or beliefs or opinions are more valuable than yours. These people depend on you wanting to keep the peace and avoid conflict. They use a variety of emotional threats to get your cooperation.

Remember this: healthy friendships (or other relationships) involve compromise. They are built on mutual respect, give and take, courtesy, understanding and fairness. Bullies don’t make good friends ... until they stop bullying.

I know you can find examples in real life, but I’d like to challenge you to also look for bullies (of both kinds) in the fiction you read, and to pay particular attention to the way you feel about those characters.

Being informed, aware and prepared gives you the advantage you need to deal with bullies.

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I'm not sure about the rest of you but I know I've had 'friends' like that before. Specifically when I was quite a bit younger and more desperate to fit in. One of the things I despise most about the kind of bullies Valerie just discussed is when they say you'll no longer be their friend if you are friends with a certain other person. Personally, I'm so over that and thank God I learned how to see through to the true personality of those so-called friends.

Thank you so much, Valerie for writing this post. Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships is very important and not always something that's as clear as black and white.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Hello everyone! Today I have brought you all a very thought-provoking guest post from author Estevan Vega as part of his When Colors Bleed Blog Tour.

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Porsches, Segways, and PaybackBy Estevan Vega

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of being a published author? Is it the expense account? Is it the Porsche you think you’ll get based on your spot on the NYT Bestseller list? Well, if the published author that first comes to mind is James Patterson, then yes, what I mentioned is the kind of life I imagine he lives. Though, at his age, he’s probably not driving around in a fancy sports car but rather getting around via Segway. Sorry, James, if that is your real name.

You see, it’s all about façades. And that’s what the publishing industry has become, until now. The cover, the fake. Ever since we were toddlers, we were warned not to judge a book by its cover, but that’s the first thing we do, isn’t it? If there’s a cool preview for a movie, we’ll shell out the cash for it, even if said blockbuster sucks. The reason: the preview looked cool. But it’s a façade. And when we used to hear the word ‘author,’ it connoted perspectives of wealth and thoughts of voracious readers following your career. Oh, and that expense account, or that cruise to Cancun. But the life of an author has evolved into something radically different, and the even deeper change is coming.

Let’s rewind just ten years. The author’s life and the writing industry as a whole are quite stable. The obvious decline of printed book sales in recent years, however, particularly recent months, has staggered. No one might have believed that this change, this evolution in what we all once believed to be a secure industry, could suffer such a drastic shift. But it’s not complete suffering; it’s enduring. The book industry will change, is changing, and will evolve. In fact, in the last few months, I have grown more independent in my thoughts, and my opinions about pursuing an independent publishing career is shifting. There is a perspective of change blooming. And it’s mind-blowing. But you may or may not be ready for it.

Bookstores surely aren’t. Publishers aren’t either. But authors are.

I’ve been writing now for more than ten years, and I’ve been published since 2004. With three novels under my belt and a recent collection of short stories self-released, I am still a far cry from that James Patterson segway account…excuse me, expense account. Unlike him, I didn’t rake in seventy million dollars last summer. Unlike him, I don’t have the millions of fans. But I don’t have to constantly win everyone’s approval either. I have discovered that being free from these traditional sharks, while scary, is also quite liberating. Now, before 2011, I believed I had made all the right moves. I wrote a good book. I had a creative edge. I knew my genre. I wrote the query letters. Self-promoted. Toured. I sold out at book stores. Conversed with directors and Hollywood producers. Booked my own rock show. I got myself a literary agent too. But after all that…care to know what happened? Nothing. A few bites on my ARSON series from major houses, but ultimately, nothing. The literary industry is evolving, and it’s evolving quicker than I ever imagined. Gone are the days where an author can write a good book and have it picked up by a publisher. The competition is fiercer and greedier than ever and the big houses are crapping bricks…and many authors are suffering.

Or are they? What if you could write whatever you wanted? What if you could give your book its own chance to succeed? What if you could stop begging for everyone’s approval and do exactly what it is you do: write? Wouldn’t that be liberating? Wouldn’t that free your mind?

Well, for me, it’s been amazingly liberating and amazingly terrifying. It’s a new world out there. But we’re ready for it, because it allows for so much freedom. I can have a killer cover designed and have it look exactly the way I want it. Judgments allowed. But forget about what some uptight sales person thinks will sell, someone who will probably never get around to reading my work. I can hire my own personal editor. And I can upload my work to the internet free of charge. Isn’t it remarkable that I can control my own future as an author? I may not have that million dollar expense account, but not many do anyway. Much like there are only six major publishing houses that “control” the market, so there are very few big-name authors who control the consumption. Or at least, that’s how it used to be. WHEN COLORS BLEED is my latest experiment. My beginning. My evolution from traditional house suck-up to fed-up author with something to say. If you’re an author, forget about what the industry is telling you. Forget about their obsession with printed books. It’s hard, I know, because we’ve been force-fed it for years. You might not think you’re legit if you publish digitally, but you are. Forget about losing your faith because no one will take a shot on your book. There are many, many authors—dreamers—who are forging a new destiny, independently, and changing the future of the writing world.

Pull your Porsches over…save the gas. And put your Segways in the garage. Because what might be offered here is not an opportunity to ride both, but to see past the future. Go ahead, drop $0.99, and read the collection of short stories in my new release WHEN COLORS BLEED, and when it’s all done, you be the judge. Tell me it’s not legit, not professional. Tell me it’s not real. Oh, and yeah, tell me the market isn’t changing. Now let’s watch the ripples spread.

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Thanks, Estevan, for joining me on my blog. I always love to hear the different opinion about the changes in the literary world.

I hope you all enjoyed this guest post. You can click on the When Colors Bleed book cover above to buy it from Amazon.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Synopsis via Goodreads Megan Blackwood has just lost her son in a terrible accident. Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter Jenna, hoping a change of scenery might help to put her life back together.

But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek. When rain falls over the village, its inhabitants commit grisly murders, leaving the place deserted with the first rays of sunshine.

Beneath the lake's surface, an eerie presence watches... and waits... Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear. One that doesn't bode well for visitors.

By the time Megan realizes that her daughter's life is in danger, it may be too late to escape.

ReviewHow I hate it when I have to do this. I like to think I do an excellent job picking out books for myself. Fact of the matter is, sooner or later, I always come across one that just doesn't do it for me. I'm afraid that for this review I'm going to have to put the cute, raving little pixie up on a shelf and bring out...the troll. *dun dun dun duuuun*

In the beginning, I thought the characters started out fairly well. The main character, Megan, was by no means the most likable character. Ironically enough, I found that I actually liked that she wasn't likable and still felt she was both raw and realistic. The daughter, Jenna, was neither here nor there for me and I often felt that she either acted too young or too old for age. So, we're on our way to Moonlight Creek and, at this point, Megan is kinda growing on me. However, it is once Megan and her daughter arrive in Moonlight Creek that any respect I had for either of them starts dwindling. The place is deserted and Megan feels something isn't quite right but she's determined to make this little vacation work, and I could understand that. But I'm sorry, once I'd walked into the only grocery store in town to find it stocked with nothing but water, it would have been go time for me. It's downhill from here. Megan became a bit wayward and wishy washy, feeling or thinking something one minute and then it's the complete opposite the next. For example, on more than one occasion, Megan is completely freaked out by the stuff going on in Moonlight Creek and is ready to pack her bags and skedaddle. Then all of a sudden, that urge to flee seems to have just dissipated. I also felt both Megan and Jenna to be totally oblivious at times. It was kinda like in those bad horror movies where you see the hapless victim walking towards her demise. As it worked out, I thought some of the side characters--such as Kenny, Giselle, Gary, and Mark--were better written. Though I've gotta say, I didn't feel particularly connected to any of them.

Drowned Sorrow showed great potential with its story line. I thought the idea and imagining behind Moonlight Creek was dark and creepy but I wanted more history. I wanted to know more about the why's and how's. I know sometimes we aren't meant to know everything but I really felt the story behind Moonlight Creek should have been elaborated on more. It sometimes felt like there were gaps, like I was just missing something. Another thing, I wish Morgan had started out more subtly about the oddities and freakishness of the town because I constantly found it hard to believe that Megan and Jenna continued staying there with everything that happened.

The writing was easily my least favorite part. It often felt better suited to a script than a book. There was barely any rhythm or emotion and it often felt disjointed. I thought transitions between changing scenes, perspectives, etc, could have been more detailed and flowed more smoothly. The pacing was also inconsistent, sometimes moving quickly and sometimes dragging along. While I liked getting different views of what was happening, the various perspectives didn't always seem to match up. Almost like it wasn't the same people, or place, that were in another perspective. Though I can kind of see where such different outlooks from the numerous characters could occur. The one thing I did feel was well done, though, was the sense of foreboding, and sometimes even chills, that the writing gave me.

Now for my favorite part, the ending, which was the perfect blend of demise and a little glimmer of hope. True, I still have questions about certain things but, in general, I quite liked how Morgan tied things up. There was a well timed twist towards the end that I definitely didn't see coming and thought was pretty clever. Here's what I didn't like though. At one point, during the dramatic climax-soon-to-be-ending, Megan gives me the impression she has it all figured out and I'm like, "Finally you see what's going on!" Then something else happens and she's all of a sudden back to, "What's happening?" *smacks forehead with hand and shakes head hopelessly*

In all honesty, Drowned Sorrow fell short of my expectations. The book wasn't all bad, it had some redeeming qualities and I can tell the author has got some talent. However, I think there were quite a few things that could have been done more adequately. I have to admit though, while this book took me longer to read than it should have, whenever I wasn't reading it, I often found my mind wondering back to it. It was one of those books that kinda stuck with me and while not spectacular, I can't deny its memorability. So, here's what it comes down to. Would I recommend this? The majority of the reviews and ratings I've seen for this have been positive and while I don't think I'd read this again, I do believe it was worth reading the first time. In other words, if the premise appeals to you, go for it.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is an ARC and passages and quotes below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsA haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.

There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.

And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.

Noteworthy Passages

Caitlyn and Amalia; pg. 144"If any of you die an untimely death," Amalia said, "make me one promise.""Anything!" Caitlyn said."Promise me you won't spend eternity looking for a guy who doesn't want to be found!"

Caitlyn and Raphael; pg. 183"No, I wouldn't paint you like that," Raphael said softly. "I'd make you a spirit of the air, treading the clouds. A goddess."Caitln dropped her wrist, embarrassed. "No one's ever compared me to a goddess before.""Shouldn't all women be treated as such?"She gave him a sideways, suspiscious look. "It's a good thing you didn't get out of the workshop much. The girls of Rome would have been in trouble!"

Caitlyn and Raphael; pg. 211"But that is what makes the love of a mother: whether she understands you or not, she loves you. A mother is the only person in your life who will ever love you that way.""You're making me cry!""Then I will cry with you," Raphael said. "If you cannot weep for your mother, for whom can you weep?"

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Wake Unto Me is a stunning YA debut from Lisa Cach and I hope these passages have inspired you to pick it up and read it for yourself. For more on my thoughts, check out my Review.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsA haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.

There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.

And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.

ReviewWake Unto Me is the thrilling and chilling Gothic YA debut from Lisa Cach, a book that surprised me by being much more than just a paranormal romance.

Early on, I knew that I was going to like Caitlyn. There was something about her that I found so relatable and I noticed we had quite a few things in common personality wise. She had her insecurities and vulnerabilities, making her realistic, but she was by no means a weak character. Caitlyn had more of a subtle strength about her, which I liked. She also had a longing for better things, not to mention the courage to try and make them happen. Another quality I really admired was her sense of humor, which was witty with a slight dryness about it. Then we have Raphael, the dashing and charismatic young man that occupies Caitlyn's dreams. And please, if there is a guy like that floatin' about in the real world, lemme know. As much as I loved both Caitlyn and Raphael, I thought the romance between the two of them, while I did like it, was something that would have worked a tad bit better had Caitlyn been a bit older than fifteen. Wake Unto Me contained a variety of intriguing supporting characters as well. First there's Amalia, Caitlyn's roommate at Chateau de la Fortune. Though a bit reserved, Amalia also has a very compassionate side to her and I think both Caitlyn and I were surprised to find that she wasn't the least bit arrogant, you know, considering she's a rich princess. Then we have Naomi, who's originally from Ghana, my favorite out of all of Caitlyn's fellow students. She was funny, a bit sassy, and someone I could easily see myself as having for a best friend. We also have Daniela and Brigitte, both of whom grew on me and also carried their own distinct personalities.

Wake Unto Me is richly layered with paranormal, historical, mystery, and romance elements. While this may sound overambitious, Cach pulls it all off, weaving everything together seamlessly and in a way that kept me hungry for more. Cach created quite a refreshing take on ghosts as well as other paranormal aspects of the plot. The deeply rooted history of Chateau de la Fortune and it's residents, past and present, was something that I wasn't quite expecting but found myself immensely captivated by. The mystery behind Caitlyn's dreams and what was happening left me filled with suspense and anxious to find out what would happen next. There were also some well placed twists thrown in that would trick me into thinking I had the answer only to realize I didn't. There only turned out to be a couple of things that I had figured out ahead of time. I think my only actual qualm with the plot would have to be that it took a little bit for everything to get going good, starting a bit slow. However, once the pace and story picked up, I couldn't put it down. All of that being said, considering Wake Unto Me's setting of a centuries old castle, turned boarding school, located in scenic France, I was destined to enjoy this book as I'm a total sucker for boarding schools with a history.

Cach's writing style pulled me deep into the story with its vivid descriptions and beautiful, smooth-flowing prose. I thought she did an expert job setting the mood and atmosphere for each scene entered into. However, there were a couple of times when it seemed that the details were done a little too meticulously, causing the writing to slightly slow in a few parts. There was also a minor over usage of exclamation points. However, both of these things may have been adjusted in the final copies and I thought that, overall, Cach had a gorgeous writing style.

I really liked how Cach ended things with Wake Unto Me, leaving just the right balance of tied and loose ends. I was left wanting more but there wasn't some huge, dramatic cliffhanger that was going to leave me wanting to hitch-hike to the author's house, sneak in ninja-style, and steal the manuscript for the sequel. While in theory that sounds like awesome fun, I'd probably set off an alarm and get arrested before I could even read it so it is just as well this book ended how it did.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsPurple Daze is a young adult novel set in suburban Los Angeles in 1965. Six high school students share their experiences and feelings in interconnected free verse and traditional poems about war, feminism, riots, love, racism, rock 'n' roll, high school, and friendship.

Although there have been verse novels published recently, none explore the changing and volatile 1960's in America— a time when young people drove a cultural and political revolution. With themes like the costs and casualties of war, the consequences of sex, and the complex relationships between teens, their peers, and their parents, this story is still as relevant today as it was 45 years ago.

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Contest DetailsThanks to the lovely Nicole with Running Press, I have a copy of Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan to giveaway.

Rules~Comments are appreciated but you must FILL OUT THE FORM to gain entry.~Contest is open to the US only.~Contest will end at 11:59PM EST on April 7th.~Winner will have 48hrs to reply to email with their address or another winner will be chosen.

Extra EntriesYou can earn +2 by tweeting this giveaway. Please include @thebookpixie

Synopsis via GoodreadsPurple Daze is a young adult novel set in suburban Los Angeles in 1965. Six high school students share their experiences and feelings in interconnected free verse and traditional poems about war, feminism, riots, love, racism, rock 'n' roll, high school, and friendship.

Although there have been verse novels published recently, none explore the changing and volatile 1960's in America— a time when young people drove a cultural and political revolution. With themes like the costs and casualties of war, the consequences of sex, and the complex relationships between teens, their peers, and their parents, this story is still as relevant today as it was 45 years ago.

Noteworthy Passages

Ziggy; pg. 75Mrs. St. Johns faints in Home Economics when she opens the refrigerator and sees her Oscar Mayer wearing rubbers.

Haiku by Nancy; pg. 110Love, a losing gameOne I wish I never playedGamblers never win

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So I figured I'd include a little taste of both the silly and the solemn. For more on my thoughts of Purple Daze, check out my Review.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Hey everyone! Today is my stop on The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome and for my post, I have a super awesome and hilarious vlog interview for you all that I did with Lisa and Laura. Brace yourselves for the onslaught of LMAO! Seriously, the first time I watched it I nearly fell out of my computer chair laughing. Lisa and Laura, you girls seriously rock!

Thanks for putting up with us, everyone! If you want to enter The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome contest, and really, who wouldn't want to enter!?! There's a $100 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Just click here and enter the super secret password, INVITATION, for an entry. Remember you can enter one time for each stop on our blog tour, so be sure to click here and see where else we're visiting this month to maximize your chances of winning.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Synopsis via GoodreadsPurple Daze is a young adult novel set in suburban Los Angeles in 1965. Six high school students share their experiences and feelings in interconnected free verse and traditional poems about war, feminism, riots, love, racism, rock 'n' roll, high school, and friendship.

Although there have been verse novels published recently, none explore the changing and volatile 1960's in America— a time when young people drove a cultural and political revolution. With themes like the costs and casualties of war, the consequences of sex, and the complex relationships between teens, their peers, and their parents, this story is still as relevant today as it was 45 years ago.

ReviewPurple Daze provides a unique look into a tumultuous period in our country's history that became a major turning point for many things. The 60's were a time of war, drugs, racism, and rock n' roll good times; this story provides you with a taste of it all.

First thing's first, while I thought the characters were well done and distinct, I don't feel that I really connected with any of them. There were some I really liked, some I didn't, but the constant, random switching between perspectives and the overall brief length of the book kept me from being able to really grab hold of a bond with them. However, I really appreciated how many different opinions and views on the same subjects that I was able to receive because of the numerous perspectives. There some characters, though, that I would have liked to have seen more of. Particularly Nancy as I found myself really wanting to be able to get inside her head more. My two favorite characters were easily Cheryl and Phil. What I loved most about Cheryl was that even though Phil and Mickey were gone, she still kept in touch, becoming their loyal pen pal, and I admired that. I can imagine there were probably a lot of guys who joined the military, or were drafted, who didn't hear from their friends once they left. I thought Phil was easily the most respectable of the guys and I enjoyed reading his letters from Vietnam. (I'm a big fan of The Things They Carried.) Don, while I didn't mind him at first, proved to be a total jerk. As for Mickey, well Mickey just really confused me in that he was protective of Cheryl and warned her against sleeping with Don but then turns around and calls his girlfriend, Ziggy, a slut and talks about how he likes how easy she is. And poor Ziggy, while she is very promiscuous, there were times I kind of felt bad for her and I got the impression there was definitely more to her than people took the time to see.

Purple Daze is a vivid portrayal and exploration of the 60's, touching on both the lighter and heavier aspects of events and happenings during the year 1965. There was humor and fun but also some strong, deeper emotions and meanings as well. Knowing that this story is based on the author's own life during this year just made everything feel that much more real. Weaved into the plot are factual excerpts from famous speeches, events, etc, and I thought these were included in in a way that was informative and intriguing, but not overbearing. I really felt that they added to the plot. My only actual complaint, which is becoming a bit of a pattern, is that I think the plot could have greatly benefited from the book being longer.

The writing was something I had very mixed feeling about. I love verse, I really do, but it just didn't quite cut it for me this time. At times the writing seemed a bit confusing and it never accomplished that smooth flow I come to expect from books written in this format. I don't think the fact that this book barely tipped 200 pages and was told from six different perspectives helped. However, there were times when the writing took on a more raw and authentic edge and this I did like. Also, considering the circumstances under which Purple Daze was written, I can see why Shahan would have chosen the verse format. This story is based on Shahan and her experiences during the 60's and I can see where writing this in prose would have required more fabrications and exaggerations if the book was to hold the same, or a longer, length. Writing Purple Daze in verse did allow it to stay more genuine to what she, and the other people it's roughly based on, went through. All that being said, I think if this book had been longer--What'd I say? Pattern, much?-- it could have formed a more connective flow.

The ending of Purple Daze was nothing spectacular but it was realistic and suitable, leaving me contented and maybe even a bit happy.

So while Purple Daze may have had its flaws, I also found it to be a very worthwhile and entertaining read. I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this book and, in the end, I'm still glad to have read it. I can tell this story probably won't be everyone's cup of tea--why always tea, why not coffee or milk?-- but if it sounds interesting to you, then I say go for it. Since Purple Daze is such a quick read, it is possible that I will read it again later on down the road.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder...

Noteworthy Passages

Kate; pg. 155The air around me felt charged with electricity, possibilities, and danger. I knew I'd never be able to run fast enough. Sooner or later I'd have to stop and brave the storm.

Kate; pg. 270I remembered the moment between Grace and Porter in the lake at Nativitas and realized there were two very good reasons that Seth wasn't equipped to handle the situation as well as I was. I unbuttoned the top buttons on the shirt of my uniform, adjusted the 'girls' to achieve maximum attention, released my hair from its ponytail, and licked my lips. I looked over at Liam and Seth. "I'm going in."

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I hope you all enjoyed those two passages and that they've got you wanting to read The Liar Society if you haven't already. For more on my thoughts, you can read my Review.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.

Accomplice by Valerie SherrardPublisher: DundurnPub. Date: February 21st, 2011Pages: 152Age Level: YASynopsis via GoodreadsLexie Malton is an average Vancouver teen with fairly typical issues. Her stepmother is far from her favourite person, she has a sister with special needs, and life outside the home is the usual mix of school, friends, school, and social events. But Lexie has a secret. Her ex-boyfriend, Devlin Mather, is now a heroin addict living on the street, and only Lexie knows that she's the one who put him there. Guilt makes her give in to Devlin's demands for money time and time again, even though she knows how dangerous his drug use is. Lexie finally gathers the strength to stop enabling Devlin. But when he seeks treatment for his addiction, Lexie finds herself drawn back to him, never guessing what a dark and deadly path she has just chosen. Devlin relapses, and his desperation will lead to an act that will change both of their lives forever.

Synopsis via GoodreadsAvi Greenbaum is Jewish and lives in West Jerusalem. Moussa Shakir is Palestinian and lives in East Jerusalem. Both are 15 years old, live without their fathers, adore their older brothers, and belong to the same soccer club. Avi commemorates the Holocaust and celebrates Israeli independence, while Moussa mourns on Nakba Day, marking the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and land in 1948. Their lives are parallel lines: they have everything in common and nothing at all. Each is oblivious to the other’s existence.

As Avi and Moussa go about their daily routines in the spring of 2006, they face reminders of the conflict that has dogged the region for the past three generations; the security wall, suicide bombings, police operations, and the looming shadow of war. While navigating this legacy of suspicion and violence, they must decide what their own roles in the stalemate will be.

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Contest DetailsThanks to Marta with Dundurn, I have a copy of both Accomplice and Crescent Star to giveaway. There will be one winner for each book and you'll have the option to enter for either or both on the form.

Rules~Comments are appreciated but you must FILL OUT THE FORM to enter.~Contest is open to US and Canada.~Contest will end at 11:59PM EST on April 4th.~Winners will have 48 hours to reply to email with their address or another winner will be chosen.

Extra EntriesYou can earn +2 entries by tweeting this contest. Please include @thebookpixie and @dundurnpress

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder...

ReviewSome of my favorite series as a child were mystery series, like the Mandie and Nancy Drew books. Now that I'm older, it's been difficult trying to find some really good YA mystery series. I began reading the Scarlett Wakefield series by Lauren Henderson back last year, which I'm really enjoying, but now I'm having to wait for the next book to release. Then The Liar Society walked into my life and I'm so delighted it did!

Together, the Roecker sisters managed to create a wide array of dynamic characters, both main and supporting. First we have our witty and sarcastic sleuth of a heroine, Kate. Kate is in no way a fool, knowing all along that there was more to Grace's death than just a freak accident. After receiving a mysterious email, Kate finally gains that extra push she needed to go out and investigate the death of her best friend for herself. Many have compared her to Nancy Drew and it is easy to see why; she's observant, determined, and lovable to boot. I really enjoyed getting to watch Kate grow stronger throughout the story and step out of the shell she'd built up around herself. Two other characters I absolutely adored were Seth and Liam, each for entirely different reasons. Seth is Kate's geeky, conspiracy theorist neighbor, who, bless his scrawny little heart, has got a bad case of the puppy love for Kate. I, the reader, know this poor boy doesn't have a chance but you gotta admire his spunk, spirit, and drive to keep on tryin'. At times, I thought Kate could be a bit harsh towards Seth but she was usually quick to apologize and I was glad to see them become friends. At first, I wasn't sure what to expect of Liam, this supposed shady bad boy with a rep. As it turns out, he wasn't at all like Kate or I expected and I found him to be quite sweet and charming once we both understood what all was going on with him. There were some very well done minor characters as well including, but not limited to: Ms. D.; Beefany Bethany; Taylor; Maddie; Porter; and Alistair.

The Liar Society is humorous and fun but also has some subtly serious undertones weaved in, providing texture. Stir in a compelling mystery that kept me guessing and you've got quite the story. While I did have a pretty good idea about who was involved in Grace's death, I didn't know the How's or Why's, which kept me flipping the pages to find out what really happened that night. I was surprised by how deep the plot went, involving the school's history and more. This just made the mystery all the more intriguing. I would have liked a little more background information concerning the 'S' and 'B' but I get the feeling more of that will come into play in the sequel.

I've only read a couple of books before that have been co-written. I've got to say, there was absolutely no way I could have told that The Liar Society was written by two different authors. Lisa and Laura's writing flowed seamlessly and was sassy and well paced.

I've got to admit, I wasn't really sure how I was expecting The Liar Society to end. I think it is safe to say I felt basically the same way as Kate did, shocked that after everything, that's how things worked out. However, I did really like the ending and think it did a great job setting up for the next book. Thankfully, it wasn't really a cliffhanger so much as it just left me wanting more.

The Liar Society is a refreshing and fun contemporary mystery that really stands out. This is one debut you will not want to miss and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Lisa and Laura are a seriously talented pair of authors and I'm looking forward to seeing what these two sisters come up with next.

SynopsisFor Sophie Fanuchi, the beginning of seventh grade is brutal. Why does her best friend Maddie Chen suddenly need so many friends? And why does her chief new friend have to be Nia, the daughter of the woman her dad is dating? Isn’t Sophie good enough? Nooooooo, apparently not.Enter the Hot List, a list of who’s hot and how’s not—written on the back of the bathroom door with a very permanent purple Sharpie-style pen. Oh, it seemed like a good idea at the time. But, suddenly, the whole school goes Hot List mad, and Sophie finds herself in a crazy bet with Nia. She has to get Squid, the geekiest, most un-hot-worthy boy on the list in one month. Can Sophie turn this nottie into a hottie and win back her best friend?

Homzie lovingly writes about seventh grade in this sweet, comedic novel, depicting the changing tides of middle school friendships, crushes and identity.

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Contest DetailsThanks to Nikki Katz, I have one copy of The Hot List up for grabs for you all.

Rules~Comments are appreciated but you must FILL OUT THE FORM to gain entry.~This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY.~Contest will end at 11:59PM EST on March 26th.~Winner will have 48hrs to reply to my email with their address or another winner will be chosen.

Extra EntriesYou can earn +2 entries by tweeting this contest. Please include @thebookpixie

Disclaimer: Please note that this is an ARC and passages and quotes below are subject to change in the final copy.

Synopsis via GoodreadsWhat if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

Noteworthy Passages

Rhine; pg. 116She seems like a wild bird that has been tamed and is surveying its captivity in a daze in which captivity doesn't seem so bad.

Rhine; pg. 224And in this blurry, somewhat inebriated state, I can almost see what Gabriel meant when he asked What has the free world got that you can't get here?Almost.

Rhine; pg. 318I smile. For a moment I think this is the way my father felt about my mother, and I could almost swear this marriage is real. A stranger passing by would think we had been together for years, that we planned to live the rest of our lives together. I always knew I was an excellent liar; I just didn't know I had it in me to fool myself.

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Hope those passages were enough to leave you wanting more. Wither truly was an amazing read and you can find out even more on what I thought by reading my Review.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.